Friends with Kids: what we've learnt

Despite critical
plaudits promising the greatest comedy since Blazing
Saddles, Bridesmaids was far more
conventional than most critics were willing to admit. Whch is not
to deny the talent of the cast (Chris O'Dowd, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm) who reassembled shortly after
wrapping that colossal hit for a far more low-key, thoughtful and -
yes - funny independent picture. Written and directed by
Jennifer Westfeldt (aka Mrs Jon Hamm), Friends With Kids
follows two best friends (Westfeldt and Adam Scott) who decide to
have a child together in a bid to avoid all of the relationship
woes of their married friends (Hamm, Wiig, O'Dowd and
Rudolph). Here are the most thought-provoking paternity related
topics…

1. Discussing vaginal tightness with your baby mama
is perfectly normal.
You will be amazed and horrified how much screen time is devoted
to discussing how long a woman must wait before having intercourse
after birth. Of course, as Westfeldt points out, it does all depend
on the girth of the penis entering it.

2. Jon Hamm does great bastard. Following Mad Men's misanthropic Don and
Bridesmaids' misogynist Ted, Hamm knows how to inspire
hatred like no other. But there's still time to branch out we think
- and not to reprise his role in Shrek Forever After…

3. The Times They are a-Changin
How can you not fall in love with a rom com in which a key scene
culminates with the female lead saying to her Prince Charming
simply, "F**the s*** out of me."

4. Profanity from children is more amusing than you'd
expect
As Hamm's onscreen family proves, you might not be able to get
your own offspring to say "Please" and "Thank You" but if you
accidentally curse, they will almost certainly parrot it back to
you.

Friends With Kids is released by Lionsgate on 29 June
2012.

James Mullinger

James Mullinger is GQ's Comedy Editor as well as a critically acclaimed stand-up in his own right. Follow him on Twitter @jamesmullinger.